Quest 2 Help from Kwak z1000 Rider

[dazzajones]

Hello Everyone

im a GPS newbie so please be gentle with me......

I have been looking into gps systems which i could use both in my car and on my bike. My car i do about 3 hours a days driving (Commissioing engineer in the fire game) and my Bike i use most weekends if it isnt raining.

First of all i was looking at the TT Rider but have reservations due to the speaker output being low when on the bike. (I dont want to shell out more money on a comms system just for gps, autocom/starcomm etc). Also the lack of a speaker would make car use a bit of a pain. I did however like the size of the unit and the touch screen facility.

After reading RIDE's review of GPS' i started looking at the Garmin Quest 2 unit. Similar sort of price, size but with the added bonus of route planning on PC. This is a major brownie point for the Garmin as far as im concerned as i like to plan a route for a sundays ride and opften struggle to keep to it using conventional maps (i dont use tank bags and my memory is pathetic).
My two concerns for the Garmin is

(1) how to get voice comms into my helmet. I understand there is an array of options for earbuds/ speakers etc which isnt an issue. My problem is how do i connect them to the unit as i cant see a 3.5mm jack socket in any pictures ive seen.

(2) How to mount it on the bike. Ive seen loads of mounts with long arms etc but i didnt want any of this. Basicaly i want the unit to be as less intrusive as possible. Clamped straight onto the bars would be bestand in the middle (on top of the bar clamps?).

http://www.mynewcheap.co.uk/products/details/garmin-quest-handlebar-mount-bracket/1602/

This looks like an option, but again, how would i connect my headphones to this unit?

I was thinking, would the gps work if it was in my bike jacket pocket? I could then just listen to instructions and not have to worry about mounting. (Battery life seems to be good on these units)

So there you have, my rather long, rambling first post on this forum. My appologies if ive asked questions that have been asked a million times before (and yes i have used the search )

Any help/advie/opinions would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Kritou]

Call Steve "RAM man" at GPS Warehouse tel 020 88939393 for mounting options suitable for your bike. You will then need a RAM-HOL-G15 cradle (£15) and a ACQ (£15) audio adapter into which plugs your wire from the earpiece/speaker

[dazzajones]

Many Thanks for yor reply.

Would the garmin unit work if i simply put it in my pocket and didnt worry about the cradle??

[Kritou]

Being close to your body with the antenna not being horizontal you will certainly cut down on the number of received satellites - at the best this means a loss of accuracy and at worst repeated failures of the Quest's ability to navigate

[Skippy]

[enzo]

dazza, as skippy has pointed out. The Garmin motorcycle mount comes with power and speaker outlet socket.
This is what I use on my 03' Sprint.

I also had some earplugs made with built-in stereo speakers from ultimate ear, expensive but excellent qaulity.
IMO, Ram-mount are about the best mounting system for various bikes. Again, not cheap but good qaulity!

Try and get to a stockist where you will be able to actually see the arms etc. as I now have a small stock of unwanted 'bits' that I did not need to buy. This could have been saved by visiting the shop in person.

Failing that, there is sombody on the forum that can machine unusual/bespoke mounting options for the ram mounting system. I have seen some photo's and they are VERY well made. I have tried to search for one of the guy's post's - but to no avail!! Sorry. I'm sure one of the other posters will fill in the blanks.

P.S. just found it - Mr Gonzales he's the 'daddy'!

Enzo

[dazzajones]

MAny Thanks to everyone thats helped me here. Its getting clearer and clearer what i need/can achive. Ill start looking for deals this weekend.

Thanks again! :D

[dazzajones]

here we go again with me questions!

On the route planning subject, is the software easy to use? Would it be like 'autoroute' or summut so i can choose exactly which roads to take.
i tried a demo of tomtoms go software and it seemed a right pain in the arse to get it to go where you want.

Ive been around a few shops today looking for demos but i couldnt find a garmin quest anywhere. Anyone know of a stockits? I just wanna see one before i order one.

Hows the quest handle in the car? is the screen big enough?

And lastly, ive read a few reviews and some say that the screen is too small and doesnt update quick enough? Are they just blowing smoke or is this a genuine problem? Does the screen zoom in when you get close to a turn/junction.

Many thanks again guys, youve been a great help so far. Hopefully when im all kitted up, i can do th esame.

[oddsock]

[dazzajones]

im in debyshire...so a long way.

[MikeOnABike]

Can't speak for the quest but I am using a cheap medion PNA with a fold-out antenna. Never had any problems on the many occassions I have gone out in the rain with the unit in my pocket (either the breast or front lower ones). Even picks up satellites without the antenna folded out.

And on that subject, never had any problems following the voice prompts. Indeed, I find the screen hard to read with the slightest glare, or beyond a certain speed, if you get my drift. The handlebars are not where my attention is whilst riding.

As for the audio jack, doesn't it say on the specs? The Quest is waterproof, so maybe no jack?

What are the bars on the kwak like? Garmin do 'bicycle' handlebar mounts for about £10 - I have one for an Etrex Legend C.

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